Friday, November 04, 2011

U Street Portrait Project: Photography by Tom Wolff

In this specially commissioned series, nationally recognized photographer Tom Wolff turns his lens on the people of DC's U Street Corridor to capture the true character of this historically and culturally rich neighborhood.

Nationally recognized photographer Tom Wolffis best known for his published work in the Washington Post Magazine, House & Garden, Garden Design, Smithsonian Magazine, and New York Times Magazine. This fall he focuses closer to home with his most recent series, U Street Portrait Project, capturing the local business owners, residents, and artists that together make DC's U Street Corridor a rich and diverse cultural center.

Wolff looks beyond the building facades to meet his subjects and engage local residents, business owners, leaders, and artists alike. When viewing Wolff's portraits, we feel like we are paused in an intimate conversation with the subject. He encourages us to stop, to see our neighbors, and to recognize that this vibrant corridor is not just comprised of the trendy new restaurants or bars, but also the people who enliven and enrich this community. Included among the almost 100 portraits featured in the exhibit are shots of owners and employees of U Street establishments such as George's Shoe Repair, Stetson's, Vida Fitness, and Lincoln Theater; Councilmembers Jack Evans and Jim Graham; and recognizable faces of taxi drivers and long-time neighbors.

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts has itself been a fixture on U Street for almost a decade, offering arts, education, and health programs for the community, with a special focus on those affected by cancer.
The U Street Portrait Project which is part of 2011 Fotoweek DC, will run from October 28 to December 17.